Measurement of the motional sidebands of a nanogram-scale oscillator in the quantum regime

Underwood, Mitchell; Mason, David; Lee, D.; Xu, Haitan; Jiang, Luyao; Shkarin, Alexey; Børkje, Kjetil; Girvin, S. M.; Harris, Jack

doi:10.1103/physreva.92.061801

Cited by 87 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…4, we use heterodyne spectroscopy of both mechanical sidebands to measure the thermal occupancy of the mechanical mode [6,28,29]. Starting first with a coherent state, we cool the mechanical mode to within 15% of the quantum limit, n 0 m = 0.33.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sideband cooling beyond the quantum backaction limit with squeezed light

Clark

Lecocq

Simmonds

et al. 2017

Nature

257

205

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Quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic vacuum produce measurable physical effects such as Casimir forces and the Lamb shift [1]. Similarly, these fluctuations also impose an observable quantum limit to the lowest temperatures that can be reached with conventional laser cooling techniques [2,3]. As laser cooling experiments continue to bring massive mechanical systems to unprecedented temperatures [4,5], this quantum limit takes on increasingly greater practical importance in the laboratory [6]. Fortunately, vacuum fluctuations are not immutable, and can be "squeezed" through the generation of entangled photon pairs. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate that squeezed light can be used to sideband cool the motion of a macroscopic mechanical object below the quantum limit. To do so, we first cool a microwave cavity optomechanical system with a coherent state of light to within 15% of this limit. We then cool by more than 2 dB below the quantum limit using a squeezed microwave field generated by a Josephson Parametric Amplifier (JPA). From heterodyne spectroscopy of the mechanical sidebands, we measure a minimum thermal occupancy of 0.19 ± 0.01 phonons. With this novel technique, even low frequency mechanical oscillators can in principle be cooled arbitrarily close to the motional ground state, enabling the exploration of quantum physics in larger, more massive systems.Rapid progress in the control and measurement of massive mechanical oscillators has enabled tests of fundamental physics, as well as applications in sensing and quantum information processing [7]. The noise performance of these experiments, however, is often limited by thermal motion of the mechanical mode. Although the most sophisticated refrigeration technologies can be sufficient for cooling high frequency mechanical structures to the ground state [8,9], observing quantum behavior in lower frequency mechanical systems requires other cooling methods. Recent efforts using active quantum feedback have been remarkably successful in preparing motional states with low entropies [10]. Thus far, however, only laser cooling techniques similar to those that revolutionized the coherent control of atomic systems [11,12] have yielded thermal occupancies below one quantum [4][5][6]. Nevertheless, vacuum fluctuations impose a lowest possible temperature that can be achieved using these techniques [2,3]. This limit is now being encountered in state of the art experiments involving macroscopic oscillators [6].The concept of sideband cooling relies on the removal of mechanical energy by scattering incident drive photons to higher frequencies. In general, however, this photon up-conversion (anti-Stokes) process competes with a downconversion (Stokes) process that adds energy to the mechanical system. In cavity optomechanics [7], a light-matter interaction arises due to a parametric modulation of an optical cavity's resonance frequency with a mechanical oscillator's position. When the cavity is driven at detuning ∆ below its resonance frequency, the dif...

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confidence: 99%

Sideband cooling beyond the quantum backaction limit with squeezed light

Clark

Lecocq

Simmonds

et al. 2017

Nature

257

205

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“…There are however interesting opportunities when the polarization splitting is precisely two times the mechanical frequency. For example, an alternative method for side-band thermometry [29][30][31][32][33], which is the optomechanical equivalent to Ramanratio thermometry in cold atoms [34] and solids [35], is possible. In Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optomechanics with a polarization nondegenerate cavity

et al. 2016

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Experiments in the field of optomechanics do not yet fully exploit the photon polarization degree of freedom. Here experimental results for an optomechanical interaction in a polarization nondegenerate system are presented and schemes are proposed for how to use this interaction to perform accurate side-band thermometry and to create interesting forms of photon-phonon entanglement. The experimental system utilizes the compressive force in the mirror attached to a mechanical resonator to create a micromirror with two radii of curvature which leads, when combined with a second mirror, to a significant polarization splitting of the cavity modes.

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“…In a homodyne detector, these quantum correlations manifest as ponderomotive squeezing of an appropriately chosen field quadrature [294,302,303]. In a heterodyne detector, they manifest as motional sideband asymmetry [304][305][306][307]. Differences between these effects arise from the details of how meter fluctuations are converted to a classical signal by the detection process [145,305,308,309].…”

Section: Quantum Correlations In Measurement-based Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum Limits on Measurement and Control of a Mechanical Oscillator

Sudhir

2018

Springer Theses

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PAR Vivishek SUDHIR JOSEPH CONRAD, Heart of DarknessExperimental physics demands a certain degree of manual dexterity, the patience to tolerate the mundane, and an inexhaustible supply of optimism. Tobias hired me to work on an immensely sophisticated experiment despite any proof of my possessing these qualities; I am indebted to him for the belief he has placed in me. I would also like to acknowledge his dedication to fostering an environment where the pursuit of science is unencumbered by other worldly concerns. Stefan, Ewold and Samuel bore the brunt of a theorist trying to perform delicate experiments; the stern, yet encouraging, stewardship of this trio ensured that I enjoyed the culture shock. Dal Wilson was more than a colleague and a post-doc; his pragmatic approach to physics provided the ideal counter-point in our attempts to forge a deeper understanding of things ranging from vibration isolation to the subtleties of quantum mechanics. Without the patient efforts of Amir, Ryan and Hendrik in designing, fabricating, and testing of devices, none of the results reported here would have been possible. I hope I have been able to bequeath a better vision of the future of our experiment to Sergey. Conversations with Alexey, Daniel and Nathan have enabled me to vicariously learn how to measure microwave "photons". John Jost once taught me how to decorate a Christmas tree; since then he has imparted some wisdom on frequency metrology, and some on atomic physics. Together with Dal, Victor and Caroline have probably spent the most time with me outside the lab; it was fun to exercise an air of social normalcy with this bunch. Christophe has been an amazing sparring partner on every subject capable of being brought under scientific scrutiny.The personal space required for the pursuit of science comes through the sacrifice of many people. My family back home in India -parents, sister, grand-parents -have had to patiently wait for the brief interludes when I go home. No words can do justice to this and the very many other pleasures they have surrendered over the years for my sake. Before physics attracted me, I was charmed by someone else; I am lucky to have married her. Long time friends, mentorsAjith and Subeesh -have played pivotal roles in my being able to engage in physics; I hope to repay this enormous debt, some day.It was a privilege to have learnt from a few great teachers during my formative years. Their vision of an indelible unity in nature continues to motivate my study of physics. vii AbstractThe precision measurement of position has a long-standing tradition in physics. Cavendish's verification of the universal law of gravitation using a torsion pendulum, Perrin's confirmation of the atomic hypothesis via the precise measurement of the Brownian motion, and, the verification of the mechanical effect of electromagnetic radiation, all belong to this classical heritage. Quantum mechanics posits that the measurement of position results in an uncertain momentum; an idea developed to full maturity within the ...

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Measurement of the motional sidebands of a nanogram-scale oscillator in the quantum regime

Cited by 87 publications

References 36 publications

Sideband cooling beyond the quantum backaction limit with squeezed light

Sideband cooling beyond the quantum backaction limit with squeezed light

Optomechanics with a polarization nondegenerate cavity

Quantum Limits on Measurement and Control of a Mechanical Oscillator

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